Brisbane’s handling of 2032 Olympic Games to be studied by IOC in major review
Brisbane’s handling of its unprecedented 11-year Games runway will be studied as part of a major review. HAVE YOUR SAY
Brisbane’s handling of its unprecedented 11-year Games runway will be studied by the International Olympic Committee as part of a major review into when a host city should be awarded the event.
The IOC says the review of the awarding of host city contracts will “draw on lessons” from Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032 and the French Alps 2030, with input from a range of stakeholders.
An investigative commission will consider “a broad set of factors” contributing to the ideal timing and process for awarding future Games.
People familiar with the IOC’s thinking say the review was not launched in direct response to Brisbane’s shambolic planning of 2032 Games infrastructure, but say the body has, at times, been frustrated by Queensland’s Labor and LNP government.
In June International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said there was “overwhelming support” from members for a pause and review on the selection process of host cities.
“Members want to be engaged more in the process and secondly, there was a very big discussion in and around when should the next host be awarded,” she said.
“We want to use the leanings from LA and from Brisbane, as well as the French Alps who have had a much shorter lead time.
“When is the appropriate time to select a future host?”
Ms Coventry said IOC members not part of its Future Host Commission were not receiving as much information about a city’s candidacy.
“The members were in agreement that the way we used to do things is not where we want to go,” she said.
“There’s been some very good reforms to get the future host and the selection of host cities to date.”
Ms Coventry, asked if Brisbane’s 11-year runway was too long, said the IOC would investigate the views of several host city organisers.
“We need to really analyse this and look at it and ensure that we’re not overburdening any of the Olympic movement in any way shape or form, but rather to find efficiencies and really when is the best time to award,” she said.
“We have right now – with LA, with Brisbane and with the French Alps – the ability to have those conversations with actual data and facts.
“That’s really going to be important for this review.”
It is understood the deterioration of the Olympic brand in Queensland as a result of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan to rebuild the Gabba and Steven Miles’s push for a cut-price event using Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the main stadium created tension between the IOC and state government.
Premier David Crisafulli in March delivered what stakeholders hope will be Brisbane’s final Olympic Games blueprint three years – 1343 days – after Ms Palaszczuk accepted the Games in Tokyo.
Optimism has returned with the LNP government’s plan to build a new stadium and Victoria Park, but concern remains about rowing in Rockhampton and, to a lesser extent, archery in Maryborough.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie in July warned the IOC and World Rowing not to push back on Rockhampton and declared “if they don’t want it in Rocky, then they pay for it”.
The demand, which local Olympic stakeholders declined to comment on, was met with anger in Lausanne.
Mr Bleijie last met World Rowing Federation president Jean-Christophe Rolland during a whirlwind Europe and UK tour, but the outcome of the meeting hasn’t been disclosed.
While concerns remain about fitting an Olympic-length rowing course on the narrow Fitzroy River, Games organisers are yet to pinpoint where Olympic archery will be held in Maryborough.
With the city’s historic buildings were flouted as a romantic backdrop, Queen’s Park, Granville AFL fields and Maryborough’s soccer fields were flagged as being among the more likely locations.
Next month the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee will launch its procurement program where more than 50 expressions of interest packages will be released.
The October 8 event – held at The Star, Queen’s Wharf – marks a major step forward for Olympic planning as Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris and chief executive officer Cindy Hook deliver new details on procurement timelines and how businesses can prepare to pitch for packages of work.
“We want as many local businesses as possible to be part of delivering our home Games,” Mr Liveris said.
“The Games will be a once in a lifetime event and opportunity for many businesses to be involved and we’re deliberately launching our procurement process early.”
While venue uncertainty has plagued the state’s planning, the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee says the 11-year runway has delivered a major advantage.
“The IOC noted that Brisbane 2032 has made strong progress since the election and that the foundation work has put the Organising Committee in a comfortable position at Games minus seven years, with the time gained already showing excellent results,” a spokeswoman said.
Games vision, emblems, the sports program and sustainability strategy are all due to be revealed within the next 12 months.
In May IOC Brisbane 2032 co-ordination commission chair Mikaela Cojuangco-Jaworski said the organising committee, led by Mr Liveris and Ms Hook, was “on the right track”.
Originally published as Brisbane’s handling of 2032 Olympic Games to be studied by IOC in major review
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